We exactly solve the Wheeler-DeWitt equation for the closed homogeneous and isotropic quantum cosmology in the presence of a conformally coupled scalar field and in the context of the generalized uncertainty principle. This form of generalized uncertainty principle is motivated by the black hole physics and it predicts a minimal length uncertainty proportional to the Planck length. We construct wave packets in momentum minisuperspace which closely follow classical trajectories and strongly peak on them upon choosing appropriate initial conditions. Moreover, based on the DeWitt criterion, we obtain wave packets that exhibit singularity-free behavior.

We exactly solve the Wheeler-DeWitt equation for the closed homogeneous and isotropic quantum cosmology in the presence of a conformally coupled scalar field and in the context of the generalized uncertainty principle. This form of generalized uncertainty principle is motivated by the black hole physics and it predicts a minimal length uncertainty proportional to the Planck length. We construct wave packets in momentum minisuperspace which closely follow classical trajectories and strongly peak on them upon choosing appropriate initial conditions. Moreover, based on the DeWitt criterion, we obtain wave packets that exhibit singularity-free behavior.

Non-minimal kinetic coupled gravity is one the novel modification to the general relativity, which includes the non-minimal coupling of kinetic term of a scalar field $\phi$ with the curvature tensor by the coupling $\kappa$, and the minimal coupling with the metric tensor by the coupling $\varepsilon$. It has already been shown that such modified gravity model provides an essentially new inflationary mechanism. In this work, we show that the Universe might have been started out in an asymptotically Einstein static state as a initial state before the inflationary stage of the Universe. We study the stability of Einstein static Universe, with Friedmann-Lema\^{\i}tre-Robertson-Walker metric, by considering linear homogeneous perturbations in the kinetic coupled gravity. By taking linear homogeneous perturbations, we find that the stability of Einstein static Universe, in the kinetic coupled gravity with quadratic scalar field potential, for closed ($K=1$) isotropic and homogeneous Friedmann-Lema\^{\i}tre-Robertson-Walker Universe depends on the coupling parameters $\kappa$ and $\varepsilon$. Specifically, for $\kappa=L_P^2$ and $\varepsilon=1$ we find that the stability condition imposes the inequality $a_0>\sqrt{3}L_P$ on the initial size $a_0$ of the closed Einstein static Universe before the inflation. Such inequality asserts that the initial size of the Einstein static Universe must be greater than the Planck length $L_P$, in consistency with the quantum gravity and quantum cosmology requirements. In this way, we have succeeded to fix the non-minimal coupling parameter $\kappa$ in the context of Einstein static Universe.

On general grounds, one may argue that a black hole stops radiation at the Planck mass, where the radiated energy is comparable to the black hole’s mass. And also, it has been argued that there would be a "wormhole-like" structure, known as "space-time foam", due to large fluctuations below the Planck length. In this paper, we show that there is actually an exact classical solution which represents nicely those two properties in a recently proposed quantum gravity model based on different scaling dimensions between space and time coordinates. The solution, called "Black Wormhole", consists of two different states, depending on its mass M and an IR parameter omega: For the black hole state, a wormhole occupies the interior region of the black hole around the singularity at the origin, whereas for the wormhole state, the interior wormhole is exposed to an outside observer as the black hole horizon is disappeared from evaporation. The black hole state becomes thermodynamically stable as it approaches to the merge point where the interior wormhole throat and the black hole horizon merges, and the Hawking temperature vanishes at the exact merge point. This solution suggests the "Generalized Cosmic Censorship" by the existence of a wormhole-like structure which protects the naked singularity even after the black hole evaporation. One could understand the would-be wormholes inside the black hole horizon as the results of microscopic wormholes created by negative energy quanta which have entered the black hole horizon in Hawking radiation processes: The quantum black hole could be a wormhole factory ! It is found that this picture may be consistent with the recent "ER=EPR" proposal for resolving the recent black hole entanglement debates.

On general grounds, one may argue that a black hole stops radiation at the Planck mass, where the radiated energy is comparable to the black hole’s mass. And also, it has been argued that there would be a "wormhole-like" structure, known as "space-time foam", due to large fluctuations below the Planck length. In this paper, we show that there is actually an exact classical solution which represents nicely those two properties in a recently proposed quantum gravity model based on different scaling dimensions between space and time coordinates. The solution, called "Black Wormhole", consists of two different states, depending on its mass M and an IR parameter omega: For the black hole state, a wormhole occupies the interior region of the black hole around the singularity at the origin, whereas for the wormhole state, the interior wormhole is exposed to an outside observer as the black hole horizon is disappeared from evaporation. The black hole state becomes thermodynamically stable as it approaches to the merge point where the interior wormhole throat and the black hole horizon merges, and the Hawking temperature vanishes at the exact merge point. This solution suggests the "Generalized Cosmic Censorship" by the existence of a wormhole-like structure which protects the naked singularity even after the black hole evaporation. One could understand the would-be wormholes inside the black hole horizon as the results of microscopic wormholes created by negative energy quanta which have entered the black hole horizon in Hawking radiation processes: The quantum black hole could be a wormhole factory ! It is found that this picture may be consistent with the recent "ER=EPR" proposal for resolving the recent black hole entanglement debates.

One aspect of the quantum nature of spacetime is its "foaminess" at very small scales. Many models for spacetime foam are defined by the accumulation power $\alpha$, which parameterizes the rate at which Planck-scale spatial uncertainties (and thephase shifts they produce) may accumulate over large path-lengths. Here $\alpha$ is defined by theexpression for the path-length fluctuations, $\delta \ell$, of a source at distance $\ell$, wherein $\delta \ell \simeq \ell^{1 – \alpha} \ell_P^{\alpha}$, with $\ell_P$ being the Planck length. We reassess previous proposals to use astronomical observations ofdistant quasars and AGN to test models of spacetime foam. We show explicitly how wavefront distortions on small scales cause the image intensity to decay to the point where distant objects become undetectable when the path-length fluctuations become comparable to the wavelength of the radiation. We use X-ray observations from {\em Chandra} to set the constraint $\alpha \gtrsim 0.58$, which rules out the random walk model (with $\alpha = 1/2$). Much firmer constraints canbe set utilizing detections of quasars at GeV energies with {\em Fermi}, and at TeV energies with ground-based Cherenkovtelescopes: $\alpha \gtrsim 0.67$ and $\alpha \gtrsim 0.72$, respectively. These limits on $\alpha$ seem to rule out $\alpha = 2/3$, the model of some physical interest.

One aspect of the quantum nature of spacetime is its "foaminess" at very small scales. Many models for spacetime foam are defined by the accumulation power $\alpha$, which parameterizes the rate at which Planck-scale spatial uncertainties (and thephase shifts they produce) may accumulate over large path-lengths. Here $\alpha$ is defined by theexpression for the path-length fluctuations, $\delta \ell$, of a source at distance $\ell$, wherein $\delta \ell \simeq \ell^{1 – \alpha} \ell_P^{\alpha}$, with $\ell_P$ being the Planck length. We reassess previous proposals to use astronomical observations ofdistant quasars and AGN to test models of spacetime foam. We show explicitly how wavefront distortions on small scales cause the image intensity to decay to the point where distant objects become undetectable when the path-length fluctuations become comparable to the wavelength of the radiation. We use X-ray observations from {\em Chandra} to set the constraint $\alpha \gtrsim 0.58$, which rules out the random walk model (with $\alpha = 1/2$). Much firmer constraints canbe set utilizing detections of quasars at GeV energies with {\em Fermi}, and at TeV energies with ground-based Cherenkovtelescopes: $\alpha \gtrsim 0.67$ and $\alpha \gtrsim 0.72$, respectively. These limits on $\alpha$ seem to rule out $\alpha = 2/3$, the model of some physical interest.

Recent calculations in loop quantum cosmology suggest that a transition from a Lorentzian to an Euclidean space-time might take place in the very early Universe. The transition point leads to a state of silence, characterized by a vanishing speed of light. This behavior can be interpreted as a decoupling of different space points, similar to the one characterizing the BKL phase. In this study, we address the issue of imposing initial conditions for the cosmological perturbations at the transition point between the Lorentzian and Euclidean phases. Motivated by the decoupling of space points, initial conditions characterized by a lack of correlations are investigated. We show that the "white noise" initial conditions are supported by the analysis of the vacuum state in the Euclidean regime adjacent to the state of silence. Furthermore, the possibility of imposing the silent initial conditions at the trans-Planckian surface, characterized by a vanishing speed for the propagation of modes with wavelengths of the order of the Planck length, is studied. Such initial conditions might result from a loop-deformations of the Poincar\’e algebra. The conversion of the silent initial power spectrum to a scale-invariant one is also examined.

Recent calculations in loop quantum cosmology suggest that a transition from a Lorentzian to an Euclidean space-time might take place in the very early Universe. The transition point leads to a state of silence, characterized by a vanishing speed of light. This behavior can be interpreted as a decoupling of different space points, similar to the one characterizing the BKL phase. In this study, we address the issue of imposing initial conditions for the cosmological perturbations at the transition point between the Lorentzian and Euclidean phases. Motivated by the decoupling of space points, initial conditions characterized by a lack of correlations are investigated. We show that the "white noise" initial conditions are supported by the analysis of the vacuum state in the Euclidean regime adjacent to the state of silence. Furthermore, the possibility of imposing the silent initial conditions at the trans-Planckian surface, characterized by a vanishing speed for the propagation of modes with wavelengths of the order of the Planck length, is studied. Such initial conditions might result from a loop-deformations of the Poincar\’e algebra. The conversion of the silent initial power spectrum to a scale-invariant one is also examined.

Recent calculations in loop quantum cosmology suggest that a transition from a Lorentzian to an Euclidean space-time might take place in the very early Universe. The transition point leads to a state of silence, characterized by a vanishing speed of light. This behavior can be interpreted as a decoupling of different space points, similar to the one characterizing the BKL phase. In this study, we address the issue of imposing initial conditions for the cosmological perturbations at the transition point between the Lorentzian and Euclidean phases. Motivated by the decoupling of space points, initial conditions characterized by a lack of correlations are investigated. We show that the "white noise" initial conditions are supported by the analysis of the vacuum state in the Euclidean regime adjacent to the state of silence. Furthermore, the possibility of imposing the silent initial conditions at the trans-Planckian surface, characterized by a vanishing speed for the propagation of modes with wavelengths of the order of the Planck length, is studied. Such initial conditions might result from a loop-deformations of the Poincar\’e algebra. The conversion of the silent initial power spectrum to a scale-invariant one is also examined.

We study a quantized Einstein-Cartan gravity and its ultraviolet unstable (stable) fixed point $\bar G_c\approx 0$ ($G_c\approx G_{\rm N}$) of running gravitational constant $G$. The cosmological constant $\Lambda\propto \xi^{-2}$ appears via a dimensional transmutation. The correlation length $\xi$ relates to the gravitational constant by a generalized Bianchi identity. Inflation possibly occurs in the neighborhood of fixed point $\bar G_c$, then universe evolves from $\bar G_c$ to $G_c$ as the space-time cutoff $\tilde a$ approaching to the Planck length $a_{\rm pl}$. The quantitative description of present universe in the scaling region of fixed point $G_c$ is given, and its deviation from the $\Lambda$CDM can be examined by recent cosmological observations, such as supernova Type Ia.

We study a quantized Einstein-Cartan gravity and its ultraviolet unstable (stable) fixed point $\bar G_c\approx 0$ ($G_c\approx G_{\rm N}$) of running gravitational constant $G$. The cosmological constant $\Lambda\propto \xi^{-2}$ appears via a dimensional transmutation. The correlation length $\xi$ relates to the gravitational constant by a generalized Bianchi identity. Inflation possibly occurs in the neighborhood of fixed point $\bar G_c$, then universe evolves from $\bar G_c$ to $G_c$ as the space-time cutoff $\tilde a$ approaching to the Planck length $a_{\rm pl}$. The quantitative description of present universe in the scaling region of fixed point $G_c$ is given, and its deviation from the $\Lambda$CDM can be examined by recent cosmological observations, such as supernova Type Ia.

In this Chapter we would like to review a "~phenomenological~" approach taking into account the most fundamental feature of string theory or, more in general, of quantum gravity, whatever its origin, which is the existence of a minimal length in the space-time fabric. This length is generally identified with the Planck length, or the string length, but it could be also much longer down to the TeV region. A simple and effective way to keep track of the effects the minimal length in black hole geometries is to solve the Einstein equations with an energy momentum tensor describing non point-like matter. The immediate consequence is the absence of any curvature singularity. Where textbook solutions of the Einstein equations loose any physical meaning because of infinite tidal forces, we find a de Sitter vacuum core of high, but finite, energy density and pressure. An additional improvement regards the final stage of the black hole evaporation leading to a vanishing Hawking temperature even in the neutral, non-rotating, case. In spite of th simplicity of this model we are able to describe the final stage of the black hole evaporation, resulting in a cold remnant with a degenerate, extremal, horizon of radius of the order of the minimal length. In this chapter we shall describe only neutral, spherically symmetric, regular black holes although charged, rotating and higher dimensional black holes can be found in the literature.

In this Chapter we would like to review a "~phenomenological~" approach taking into account the most fundamental feature of string theory or, more in general, of quantum gravity, whatever its origin, which is the existence of a minimal length in the space-time fabric. This length is generally identified with the Planck length, or the string length, but it could be also much longer down to the TeV region. A simple and effective way to keep track of the effects the minimal length in black hole geometries is to solve the Einstein equations with an energy momentum tensor describing non point-like matter. The immediate consequence is the absence of any curvature singularity. Where textbook solutions of the Einstein equations loose any physical meaning because of infinite tidal forces, we find a de Sitter vacuum core of high, but finite, energy density and pressure. An additional improvement regards the final stage of the black hole evaporation leading to a vanishing Hawking temperature even in the neutral, non-rotating, case. In spite of th simplicity of this model we are able to describe the final stage of the black hole evaporation, resulting in a cold remnant with a degenerate, extremal, horizon of radius of the order of the minimal length. In this chapter we shall describe only neutral, spherically symmetric, regular black holes although charged, rotating and higher dimensional black holes can be found in the literature.

In this Chapter we would like to review a "~phenomenological~" approach taking into account the most fundamental feature of string theory or, more in general, of quantum gravity, whatever its origin, which is the existence of a minimal length in the space-time fabric. This length is generally identified with the Planck length, or the string length, but it could be also much longer down to the TeV region. A simple and effective way to keep track of the effects the minimal length in black hole geometries is to solve the Einstein equations with an energy momentum tensor describing non point-like matter. The immediate consequence is the absence of any curvature singularity. Where textbook solutions of the Einstein equations loose any physical meaning because of infinite tidal forces, we find a de Sitter vacuum core of high, but finite, energy density and pressure. An additional improvement regards the final stage of the black hole evaporation leading to a vanishing Hawking temperature even in the neutral, non-rotating, case. In spite of th simplicity of this model we are able to describe the final stage of the black hole evaporation, resulting in a cold remnant with a degenerate, extremal, horizon of radius of the order of the minimal length. In this chapter we shall describe only neutral, spherically symmetric, regular black holes although charged, rotating and higher dimensional black holes can be found in the literature.

The effects of the generalized uncertainty principle (GUP) on the low-energy stationary states of a particle moving in a cavity with no sharp boundaries are determined by means of the perturbation expansion in the framework of one-dimensional bandlimited quantum mechanics. A realization of GUP resulting in the existence of a finite ultraviolet (UV) wave-vector cutoff $K\sim 1/\ell_P$ (with the Planck length $\ell_P$) is considered. The cavity of the size $\ell \gg \ell_P$ is represented by an infinitely deep trapezoid-well potential with boundaries smeared out in a range $R$ satisfying the inequalities $\ell\gg R\gtrsim \ell_P$. In order to determine the energy shifts of the low-lying stationary states, the usual perturbation expansion is reformulated in a manner that enables one to treat consistently order-by-order the direct and indirect GUP effects, i.e., those due to the modification of the Hamiltonian and the lack of the UV modes, respectively. It is shown that the leading terms of the indirect and the direct GUP effects are of the first and second order, respectively, in the small parameter $\ell_P/\ell$ in agreement with our previous finding in a more naive approach [1].

On the basis of a previously proposed mechanism of neutrino-antineutrino mass splitting in the Standard Model, which is Lorentz and $SU(2)\times U(1)$ invariant but non-local to evade $CPT$ theorem, we discuss the possible implications of neutrino-antineutrino mass splitting on neutrino physics and baryogenesis. It is shown that non-locality within a distance scale of the Planck length, that may not be fatal to unitarity in generic effective theory, can generate the neutrino-antineutrino mass splitting of the order of observed neutrino mass differences, which is tested in oscillation experiments, and non-negligible baryon asymmetry depending on the estimate of sphaleron dynamics. The one-loop order induced electron-positron mass splitting in the Standard Model is shown to be finite and estimated at $\sim 10^{-20}$ eV, well below the experimental bound $< 10^{-2}$ eV. The induced $CPT$ violation in the $K$-meson in the Standard Model is expected to be even smaller and well below the experimental bound $|m_{K}-m_{\bar{K}}|<0.44\times 10^{-18}$ GeV.

In conventional general relativity without torsion, high-frequency gravitational waves couple to the chiral number density of spin one-half quanta: the polarization of the waves is rotated by $2\pi N_5 {\ell _{\rm Pl}^2}$, where $N_5$ is the chiral column density and $\ell _{\rm Pl}$ is the Planck length. This means that if a primordial distribution of gravitational waves with E-E or B-B correlations passed through a chiral density of fermions in the very early Universe, an E-B correlation in the waves, and one in the cosmic microwave background, would be generated. Less obviously but more primitively, the condition Albrecht called `cosmic coherence’ would be violated, changing the restrictions on the class of admissible cosmological gravitational waves.

In conventional general relativity without torsion, high-frequency gravitational waves couple to the chiral number density of spin one-half quanta: the polarization of the waves is rotated by $2\pi N_5 {\ell _{\rm Pl}^2}$, where $N_5$ is the chiral column density and $\ell _{\rm Pl}$ is the Planck length. This means that if a primordial distribution of gravitational waves with E-E or B-B correlations passed through a chiral density of fermions in the very early Universe, an E-B correlation in the waves, and one in the cosmic microwave background, would be generated. Less obviously but more primitively, the condition Albrecht called `cosmic coherence’ would be violated, changing the restrictions on the class of admissible cosmological gravitational waves.

We study the thermodynamics of various physical systems in the framework of the Generalized Uncertainty Principle that implies a minimal length uncertainty proportional to the Planck length. We present a general scheme to analytically calculate the quantum partition function of the physical systems to first order of the deformation parameter based on the behavior of the modified energy spectrum and compare our results with the classical approach. Also, we find the modified internal energy and heat capacity of the systems for the anti-Snyder framework.

We show that at lowest energy nonlocal interactions, the tuning of s-wave scattering length can enable a systematic control over the quantum pressure term in a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC). We derive the equation for the massless free excitations in an analogue curved space-time by controlling the effective Planck length. Our controlled derivation indicates a breakdown of this dynamics at length scales comparable to effective Planck length. We also specify the correction that one has to take into account at a larger length scale in a flat space-time due to the emergent gravity at intermediate length scales.

An important open question in fundamental physics concerns the nature of spacetime at distance scales associated with the Planck length. The widespread belief that probing such distances necessitates Planck-energy particles has impeded phenomenological and experimental research in this context. However, it has been realized that various theoretical approaches to underlying physics can accommodate Planck-scale violations of spacetime symmetries. This talk surveys the motivations for spacetime-symmetry research, the SME test framework, and experimental efforts in this field.

Observations indicate that our universe is characterized by a late-time accelerating phase, possibly driven by a cosmological constant $\Lambda$, with the dimensionless parameter $\Lambda L_P^2 \simeq 10^{-122}$, where $L_P = (G \hbar /c^3)^{1/2}$ is the Planck length. In this review, we describe how the emergent gravity paradigm provides a new insight and a possible solution to the cosmological constant problem. After reviewing the necessary background material, we identify the necessary and sufficient conditions for solving the cosmological constant problem. We show that these conditions are naturally satisfied in the emergent gravity paradigm in which (i) the field equations of gravity are invariant under the addition of a constant to the matter Lagrangian and (ii) the cosmological constant appears as an integration constant in the solution. The numerical value of this integration constant can be related to another dimensionless number (called CosMIn) that counts the number of modes inside a Hubble volume that cross the Hubble radius during the radiation and the matter dominated epochs of the universe. The emergent gravity paradigm suggests that CosMIn has the numerical value $4 \pi$, which, in turn, leads to the correct, observed value of the cosmological constant. Further, the emergent gravity paradigm provides an alternative perspective on cosmology and interprets the expansion of the universe itself as a quest towards holographic equipartition. We discuss the implications of this novel and alternate description of cosmology.

Observations indicate that our universe is characterized by a late-time accelerating phase, possibly driven by a cosmological constant $\Lambda$, with the dimensionless parameter $\Lambda L_P^2 \simeq 10^{-122}$, where $L_P = (G \hbar /c^3)^{1/2}$ is the Planck length. In this review, we describe how the emergent gravity paradigm provides a new insight and a possible solution to the cosmological constant problem. After reviewing the necessary background material, we identify the necessary and sufficient conditions for solving the cosmological constant problem. We show that these conditions are naturally satisfied in the emergent gravity paradigm in which (i) the field equations of gravity are invariant under the addition of a constant to the matter Lagrangian and (ii) the cosmological constant appears as an integration constant in the solution. The numerical value of this integration constant can be related to another dimensionless number (called CosMIn) that counts the number of modes inside a Hubble volume that cross the Hubble radius during the radiation and the matter dominated epochs of the universe. The emergent gravity paradigm suggests that CosMIn has the numerical value $4 \pi$, which, in turn, leads to the correct, observed value of the cosmological constant. Further, the emergent gravity paradigm provides an alternative perspective on cosmology and interprets the expansion of the universe itself as a quest towards holographic equipartition. We discuss the implications of this novel and alternate description of cosmology.

Observations indicate that our universe is characterized by a late-time accelerating phase, possibly driven by a cosmological constant $\Lambda$, with the dimensionless parameter $\Lambda L_P^2 \simeq 10^{-122}$, where $L_P = (G \hbar /c^3)^{1/2}$ is the Planck length. In this review, we describe how the emergent gravity paradigm provides a new insight and a possible solution to the cosmological constant problem. After reviewing the necessary background material, we identify the necessary and sufficient conditions for solving the cosmological constant problem. We show that these conditions are naturally satisfied in the emergent gravity paradigm in which (i) the field equations of gravity are invariant under the addition of a constant to the matter Lagrangian and (ii) the cosmological constant appears as an integration constant in the solution. The numerical value of this integration constant can be related to another dimensionless number (called CosMIn) that counts the number of modes inside a Hubble volume that cross the Hubble radius during the radiation and the matter dominated epochs of the universe. The emergent gravity paradigm suggests that CosMIn has the numerical value $4 \pi$, which, in turn, leads to the correct, observed value of the cosmological constant. Further, the emergent gravity paradigm provides an alternative perspective on cosmology and interprets the expansion of the universe itself as a quest towards holographic equipartition. We discuss the implications of this novel and alternate description of cosmology.

The Friedmann-Robertson-Walker (FRW) universe and Bianchi I,II universes are investigated in the framework of the generalized uncertainty principle (GUP) with a linear and a quadratic term in Planck length and momentum, which predicts minimum measurable length as well as maximum measurable momentum. We get a dynamic cosmological bounce for the FRW universe. With Bianchi universe, we found that the universe may be still isotropic by implementing GUP. Moreover, the wall velocity appears to be stationary with respect to the universe velocity which means that when the momentum of the Universe evolves into a maximum measurable energy, the bounce is enhanced against the wall which means no maximum limit angle is manifested anymore.

The Friedmann-Robertson-Walker (FRW) universe and Bianchi I,II universes are investigated in the framework of the generalized uncertainty principle (GUP) with a linear and a quadratic term in Planck length and momentum, which predicts minimum measurable length as well as maximum measurable momentum. We get a dynamic cosmological bounce for the FRW universe. With Bianchi universe, we found that the universe may be still isotropic by implementing GUP. Moreover, the wall velocity appears to be stationary with respect to the universe velocity which means that when the momentum of the Universe evolves into a maximum measurable energy, the bounce is enhanced against the wall which means no maximum limit angle is manifested anymore.

We consider $\lambda\phi^{4}$ kink and sine-Gordon soliton in the presence of a minimal length uncertainty proportional to the Planck length. The modified Hamiltonian contains an extra term proportional to $p^4$ and the generalized Schr\"odinger equation is expressed as a forth-order differential equation in quasiposition space. We obtain the modified energy spectrum for the discrete states and compare our results with 1-loop resummed and Hartree approximations for the quantum fluctuations. We finally find some lower bounds for the deformations parameter so that the effects of the minimal length have the dominant role.

We consider $\lambda\phi^{4}$ kink and sine-Gordon soliton in the presence of a minimal length uncertainty proportional to the Planck length. The modified Hamiltonian contains an extra term proportional to $p^4$ and the generalized Schr\"odinger equation is expressed as a forth-order differential equation in quasiposition space. We obtain the modified energy spectrum for the discrete states and compare our results with 1-loop resummed and Hartree approximations for the quantum fluctuations. We finally find some lower bounds for the deformations parameter so that the effects of the minimal length have the dominant role.

It is conjectured that the spatial structure of quantum field states is influenced by a new kind of directional indeterminacy of quantum geometry set by the Planck length, $l_P$, that does not occur in the usual classical background geometry. Entanglement of field and geometry states is described in the small angle approximation, using paraxial wave solutions instead of the usual plane waves. It is shown to have almost no effect on local measurements, microscopic particle interactions, or measurements of propagating states that depend only on longitudinal coordinates, but it significantly alter properties of field states at wavelength $\lambda$ that depend on transverse coordinates or direction, in systems larger than $\approx \lambda^2/l_P $. The reduced information content of fields in large systems is consistent with holographic bounds from gravitation theory, significantly reduces the energy density of field vacua, and may appear as measurable quantum-geometrical noise in interferometers.

It is conjectured that the spatial structure of quantum field states is influenced by a new kind of directional indeterminacy of quantum geometry set by the Planck length, $l_P$, that does not occur in a classical background geometry. Entanglement of fields with geometry modifies the transverse phase of field states at wavelength $\lambda$ and propagation distance $c\tau$ by about $ \Delta \phi\approx \sqrt{l_P\tau}/\lambda$. The new effect is not detectable in measurements of propagating states that depend only on longitudinal coordinates. The reduced information content of fields in large systems is consistent with holographic bounds from gravitation theory, and may appear as measurable quantum-geometrical noise in interferometers.

It is conjectured that the spatial structure of quantum field states is influenced by a new kind of directional indeterminacy of quantum geometry set by the Planck length, $l_P$, that does not occur in a classical background geometry. Entanglement of fields with geometry modifies the transverse phase of field states at wavelength $\lambda$ and propagation distance $c\tau$ by about $ \Delta \phi\approx \sqrt{l_P\tau}/\lambda$. The new effect is not detectable in measurements of propagating states that depend only on longitudinal coordinates. The reduced information content of fields in large systems is consistent with holographic bounds from gravitation theory, and may appear as measurable quantum-geometrical noise in interferometers.

It is conjectured that the spatial structure of quantum field states is influenced by a new kind of directional indeterminacy of quantum geometry set by the Planck length, $l_P$, that does not occur in the usual classical background geometry. Entanglement of field and geometry states is described in the small angle approximation, using paraxial wave solutions instead of the usual plane waves. It is shown to have almost no effect on local measurements, microscopic particle interactions, or measurements of propagating states that depend only on longitudinal coordinates, but it significantly alter properties of field states at wavelength $\lambda$ that depend on transverse coordinates or direction, in systems larger than $\approx \lambda^2/l_P $. The reduced information content of fields in large systems is consistent with holographic bounds from gravitation theory, significantly reduces the energy density of field vacua, and may appear as measurable quantum-geometrical noise in interferometers.

We propose a quantum gravity-extended form of the classical length contraction law obtained in Special Relativity. More specifically, the framework of our discussion is the UV self-complete theory of quantum gravity. Against this background, we show how our results are consistent with, i) the generalised form of the Uncertainty Principle (GUP), ii) the so called hoop-conjecture which we interpret, presently, as the saturation of a Lorentz boost by the formation of a black hole in a two-body scattering, and iii) the intriguing notion of "classicalization" of trans-Planckian physics. Pushing these ideas to their logical conclusion, we argue that there is a physical limit to the Lorentz contraction rule in the form of some minimal universal length determined by quantum gravity, say the Planck Length, or any of its current embodiments such as the string length, or the TeV quantum gravity length scale. In the latter case, we determine the \emph{critical boost} that separates the ordinary "particle phase," characterized by the Compton wavelength, from the "black hole phase", characterized by the effective Schwarzschild radius of the colliding system. Finally, with the "classicalization" of quantum gravity in mind, we comment on the remarkable identity, to our knowledge never noticed before, between three seemingly independent universal quantities, namely, a) the "string tension", b) the "linear energy density," or \emph{tension} that exists at the core of all Schwarzschild black holes, and c) the "superforce" i.e., the Planckian limit of the static electro-gravitational force and, presumably, the unification point of all fundamental forces.

Comments: 10 pages; 1 figure. Due to the recent interest for the UV self-complete, quantum gravity scenario, we post this note which was submitted to the gravity Research Foundation for the 2002-03 competition and never published since then

A basic inconsistency arises when the Theory of Special Relativity meets with quantum phenomena at the Planck scale. Specifically, the Planck length is Lorentz invariant and should not be affected by a Lorentz boost. We argue that Planckian relativity must necessarily involve the effect of black hole formation. Recent proposals for resolving the noted inconsistency seem unsatisfactory in that they ignore the crucial role of gravity in the saturation of Lorentz boosts. Furthermore, an invariant length at he Planck scale amounts to a universal quantum of resolution in the fabric of spacetime. We argue, therefore, that the universal Planck length requires an extension of the Uncertainty Principle as well. Thus, the noted inconsistency lies at the core of Quantum Gravity. In this essay we reflect on a possible resolution of these outstanding problems.

We consider corrections to all orders in the Planck length on the quantum state density, and calculate the statistical entropy of the scalar field on the background of the Bardeen regular black hole numerically. We obtain the distribution of entropy which is inside the horizon of black hole and the contribution of the vicinity of horizon takes a great part of the whole entropy.

Phenomenological approaches to quantum gravity try to infer model-independent laws by analyzing thought experiments and combining both quantum, relativistic, and gravitational ingredients. We first review these ingredients -three basic inequalities- and discuss their relationships with the nature of fundamental constants. In particular, we argue for a covariant mass bound conjecture: in a spacetime free of horizon, the mass inside a surface $A$ cannot exceed $16 \pi G^2 m^2< A $, while the reverse holds in a spacetime with horizons. This is given a precise definition using the formalism of light-sheets. We show that $\hbar/c$ may be also given a geometrical interpretation, namely $4 \pi \hbar^2/m^2< A$. We then combine these inequalities and find/review the following: (1) Any system must have a size greater than the Planck length, in the sense that there exists a minimal area (2) We comment on the Minimal Length Scenarios and the fate of Lorentz symmetry near the Planck scale (3) Quanta with transplanckian frequencies are allowed in a large enough boxes (4) There exists a mass-dependent maximal acceleration given by $m c^3/\hbar$ if $m<m_p$ and by $c^4/G m$ if $m>m_p$ (5) There exists a mass dependent maximal force and power (6) There exists a maximal energy density and pressure (7) Physical systems must obey the Holographic Principle (8) Holographic bounds can only be saturated by systems with $m>m_p$; systems lying on the “Compton line” $l \sim 1/m$ are fundamental objects without substructures (9) We speculate on a new bound from above for the action. In passing, we note that the maximal acceleration is of the order of Milgrom’s acceleration $a_0$ for ultra-light particles ($m\sim H_0)$ that could be associated to the Dark Energy fluid. This suggests designing toy-models in which modified gravity in galaxies is driven by the DE field, via the maximal acceleration principle.

We propose physically motivated spacetime uncertainty relations (STUR) for flat Friedmann-Lema\^{i}tre cosmologies. We show that the physical features of these STUR crucially depend on whether a particle horizon is present or not. In particular, when this is the case we deduce the existence of a maximal value for the Hubble rate (or equivalently for the matter density), thus providing an indication that quantum effects may rule out a pointlike big bang singularity. Finally, we costruct a concrete realisation of the corresponding quantum Friedmann spacetime in terms of operators on some Hilbert space.

We propose physically motivated spacetime uncertainty relations (STUR) for flat Friedmann-Lema\^{i}tre cosmologies. We show that the physical features of these STUR crucially depend on whether a particle horizon is present or not. In particular, when this is the case we deduce the existence of a maximal value for the Hubble rate (or equivalently for the matter density), thus providing an indication that quantum effects may rule out a pointlike big bang singularity. Finally, we costruct a concrete realisation of the corresponding quantum Friedmann spacetime in terms of operators on a Hilbert space.

We propose physically motivated spacetime uncertainty relations (STUR) for flat Friedmann-Lema\^{i}tre cosmologies. We show that the physical features of these STUR crucially depend on whether a particle horizon is present or not. In particular, when this is the case we deduce the existence of a maximal value for the Hubble rate (or equivalently for the matter density), thus providing an indication that quantum effects may rule out a pointlike big bang singularity. Finally, we costruct a concrete realisation of the corresponding quantum Friedmann spacetime in terms of operators on some Hilbert space.

We propose physically motivated spacetime uncertainty relations (STUR) for flat Friedmann-Lema\^{i}tre cosmologies. We show that the physical features of these STUR crucially depend on whether a particle horizon is present or not. In particular, when this is the case we deduce the existence of a maximal value for the Hubble rate (or equivalently for the matter density), thus providing an indication that quantum effects may rule out a pointlike big bang singularity. Finally, we costruct a concrete realisation of the corresponding quantum Friedmann spacetime in terms of operators on a Hilbert space.

We propose physically motivated spacetime uncertainty relations (STUR) for flat Friedmann-Lema\^{i}tre cosmologies. We show that the physical features of these STUR crucially depend on whether a particle horizon is present or not. In particular, when this is the case we deduce the existence of a maximal value for the Hubble rate (or equivalently for the matter density), thus providing an indication that quantum effects may rule out a pointlike big bang singularity. Finally, we costruct a concrete realisation of the corresponding quantum Friedmann spacetime in terms of operators on a Hilbert space.

We propose physically motivated spacetime uncertainty relations (STUR) for flat Friedmann-Lema\^{i}tre cosmologies. We show that the physical features of these STUR crucially depend on whether a particle horizon is present or not. In particular, when this is the case we deduce the existence of a maximal value for the Hubble rate (or equivalently for the matter density), thus providing an indication that quantum effects may rule out a pointlike big bang singularity. Finally, we construct a concrete realisation of the corresponding quantum Friedmann spacetime in terms of operators on some Hilbert space.

We propose physically motivated spacetime uncertainty relations (STUR) for flat Friedmann-Lema\^{i}tre cosmologies. We show that the physical features of these STUR crucially depend on whether a particle horizon is present or not. In particular, when this is the case we deduce the existence of a maximal value for the Hubble rate (or equivalently for the matter density), thus providing an indication that quantum effects may rule out a pointlike big bang singularity. Finally, we costruct a concrete realisation of the corresponding quantum Friedmann spacetime in terms of operators on some Hilbert space.

We propose physically motivated spacetime uncertainty relations (STUR) for flat Friedmann-Lema\^{i}tre cosmologies. We show that the physical features of these STUR crucially depend on whether a particle horizon is present or not. In particular, when this is the case we deduce the existence of a maximal value for the Hubble rate (or equivalently for the matter density), thus providing an indication that quantum effects may rule out a pointlike big bang singularity. Finally, we construct a concrete realisation of the corresponding quantum Friedmann spacetime in terms of operators on some Hilbert space.

A clock synchronization thought experiment is modeled by a diffeomorphism invariant "time delay" observable. In a sense, this observable probes the causal structure of the ambient Lorentzian spacetime. Thus, upon quantization, it is sensitive to the long expected smearing of the light cone by vacuum fluctuations in quantum gravity. After perturbative linearization, its mean and variance are computed in the Minkowski Fock vacuum of linearized gravity. The na\"ive divergence of the variance is meaningfully regularized by a length scale $\mu$, the physical detector resolution. This is the first time vacuum fluctuations have been fully taken into account in a similar calculation. Despite some drawbacks this calculation provides a useful template for the study of a large class of similar observables in quantum gravity. Due to their large volume, intermediate calculations were performed using computer algebra software. The resulting variance scales like $(s \ell_p/\mu)^2$, where $\ell_p$ is the Planck length and $s$ is the distance scale separating the ("lab" and "probe") clocks. Additionally, the variance depends on the relative velocity of the lab and the probe, diverging for low velocities. This puzzling behavior may be due to an oversimplified detector resolution model or a neglected second order term in the time delay.

A bimetric gravity model with a variable speed of light is shown to be in agreement with the results reported from the Planck satellite in 2013. The predicted scalar mode spectral index is $n_s\approx 0.96$ and its running is $\alpha_s\approx 8\times 10^{-4}$ when the fundamental length scale $\ell_0$ in the model is fixed to be $\ell_0\approx 10^5\ell_P$, where $\ell_P$ is the Planck length $\ell_P=1.62\times 10^{-33}\,{\rm cm}$, giving the observed CMB fluctuations: $\delta_H\approx 10^{-5}$. The enlarged lightcone ensures that horizon and flatness problems are solved. The model is free from many of the fine-tuning problems of the inflationary models and the fluctuations that form the seeds of structure formation do not lead to a chaotic inhomogeneous universe and the need for a multiverse.

Non-minimally coupled Brans Dicke (BD) gravity with dynamical unit time-like four vector field is used to study flat Robertson Walker (RW) cosmology in the presence of variable cosmological parameter described in terms of the BD field as $~\phi^n.$ Aim of the paper is to seek cosmological models exhibiting metric signature transition. The problem is studied in both classical and quantum cosmological approach. Solutions of classical dynamical equations lead to nonsingular inflationary scale factor of space time as $R(t)=l_p\cosh(t/l_p)$ where $l_p$ denotes to Planck length. Corresponding Euclidean signature scale factor is obtained directly by changing $t\to it$ which describes re-collapsing universe. Dynamical vector field together with the BD scalar field treats as fluid with time dependent barotropic index $\gamma(t)$. At large scales of the space time we obtain $\gamma(t)\to -1$ corresponding to dark matter dominant of the fluid. Positive values of this parameter is obtained only at the Euclidean regime of the space time and whose values are changed from $-\infty$ to $+\infty$ on the metric signature transition hypersurface $t=0$ where metric is degenerated. Dust and radiation domains of the fluid stands on the Euclidean regime of the space time. Euclidean regime is also contained $\gamma(t)<0$ corresponding dark matter dominate for short times. In the quantum cosmological approach we solve corresponding Weeler De Witt (WD) wave equation with large values of BD parameter. Assuming a discreet non-zero ADM mass $M_j=2(2j+1)/l_p$ with $j=0,1,2,\cdots$, WD wave solution is described in terms of simple harmonic quantum Oscillator eigne functionals. WD wave solutions of the Lorentzian and Euclidean signature of the flat RW space time have same nonzero values on the metric signature transition hypersurface and whose maximum value is obtained at ground state $j=0$.

Over the last decade a growing number of quantum-gravity researchers has been looking for opportunities for the first ever experimental evidence of a Planck-length quantum property of spacetime. These studies are usually based on the analysis of some candidate indirect implications of spacetime quantization, such as a possible curvature of momentum space. Some recent proposals have raised hope that we might also gain direct experimental access to quantum properties of spacetime, by finding evidence of limitations to the measurability of the center-of-mass coordinates of some macroscopic bodies. However I here observe that the arguments that originally lead to speculating about spacetime quantization do not apply to the localization of the center of mass of a macroscopic body. And I also analyze some popular formalizations of the notion of quantum spacetime, finding that when the quantization of spacetime is Planckian for the constituent particles then for the composite macroscopic body the quantization of spacetime is much weaker than Planckian. These results show that finding evidence of spacetime quantization with studies of macroscopic bodies is extremely unlikely. And they also raise some conceptual challenges for theories of mechanics in quantum spacetime, in which for example free protons and free atoms should feel the effects of spacetime quantization differently.

The current, accelerated, phase of expansion of our universe can be modeled in terms of a cosmological constant. A key issue in theoretical physics is to explain the extremely small value of the dimensionless parameter \Lambda L_P^2 ~ 3.4 x 10^{-122}, where L_P is the Planck length. We show that this value can be understood in terms of a new dimensionless parameter N, which counts the number of modes inside a Hubble volume crossing the Hubble radius, from the end of inflation until the beginning of the accelerating phase. Theoretical considerations suggest that N = 4\pi. On the other hand, N is related to ln (\Lambda L_P^2) and two other parameters which will be determined by high energy particle physics: (a) the ratio between the number densities of photons and matter and (b) the energy scale of inflation. For realistic values of (n_\gamma / n_m) ~ 4.3 x 10^{10} and E_{inf} ~ 10^{15} GeV, our postulate N =4\pi leads to the observed value of the cosmological constant. This provides a unified picture of cosmic evolution relating the early inflationary phase to the late accelerating phase.